WASHINGTON (CNN) - In a much-anticipated ruling issued Thursday, the California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional.

Several gay and lesbian couples, along with the city of San Francisco and gay rights groups, sued to overturn state laws allowing only marriages between a man and a woman.

"There can be no doubt that extending the designation of marriage to same-sex couples, rather than denying it to all couples, is the equal protection remedy that is most consistent with our state's general legislative policy and preference," said the 120-page ruling.
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soundoff(86 Responses)

Why not? Why should straight couples keep all the misery to themselves.

May 15, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

beverly

it's about time, I am not gay but ( i SAY LIVE AND LET LIVE). i SUPPORT THE GAY COMMUNITIES

May 15, 2008 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

Ken

I guess Bush and McCain can join hands after all.......

May 15, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Terry in Fl

We all have a right to love who we want. Thank you Cali Supreme Court for doing the right thing. I wish the nation would learn a thing or two about protecting it's citizens rights. EVERY single person in a relationship with another, regardless of sex, should be protected!

May 15, 2008 02:53 pm at 2:53 pm |

Canadian experience

Its about time. Canada allowed gay marriage a couple years ago and everything is going along fine there. No big changes, it didn't threaten marriage as an institution.

May 15, 2008 02:53 pm at 2:53 pm |

Kirsten

LOVE TRUMPS BIGOTRY!
California is ahead of the game as usual.

May 15, 2008 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |

ShameonCalifornia

Why does this minority group have so much influence? Follow the money. Why do people choose to push their lifestyles on every one. Why should my children see two men and two women. This is not normal behavior. What if a man wants to marry his sister, we must to make this odd couple happy? A man wants to wed a little girl that he says loves him and he loves her, should we allow them to wed too? What is this country coming to?

May 15, 2008 02:56 pm at 2:56 pm |

jonny

finally. this is no different than womens right to vote, or equality of african americans. the religions views of a group of people should not be legally enforced on the whole population.

May 15, 2008 02:57 pm at 2:57 pm |

alexis

As a lesbian in California, I am so happy that justice and equality rule the day. I have been with my partner for 16 years and we look forward to getting married.

May 15, 2008 02:58 pm at 2:58 pm |

DJ, LA, CA

Oh that's just great. Here we go again with a fresh round of divisive wedge issues to distract us.

Just a matter of time before the GOP launches fresh attack ads accusing the Democrats of promoting or even encouraging Gay marriage. Or worse scaring voters into thinking that liberals advocate gay lifestyle.

May 15, 2008 02:59 pm at 2:59 pm |

Hillary or McCain

Good for you California! Gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights and protection under the law as heterosexual couples do.

May 15, 2008 03:00 pm at 3:00 pm |

Connie

You gooooo Joe!! It is about time more people with some clout started saying what most of the country-world think and feel! Bush should have been impeached a long time ago! He has been a war mongrel since he took office.I don't know how he sleeps at night. He has made such a mess of things, it will take years to fix! He actually acts as if he is not ashamed of the legacy he will leave, going down as the WORST president in all of history! Wonder what his grandchildren will think and all his generations from here on when they read about him in the history books! I can't wait till he goes and hides in his hole in Texas.

May 15, 2008 03:00 pm at 3:00 pm |

Tara

This is GREAT news! A big step towards equality for all humans, regardless of sexual preference!

May 15, 2008 03:01 pm at 3:01 pm |

Darth Vadik, CA

Good for us here in California, now our brother and sister homosexulas can have the same rights as the rest of us.

May 15, 2008 03:05 pm at 3:05 pm |

Sharon Minnesota

Mistake, Mistake, Mistake. No same sex marriage. It's so wrong!

May 15, 2008 03:07 pm at 3:07 pm |

Yes I LOVE THE LORD

Well, California watch out the wrath of God will come down on you !
You have kicked him out of your schools and now you approve gay marriage. Wonder how much of the state will burn this summer ?

May 15, 2008 03:07 pm at 3:07 pm |

Jon

That's about time!

Hooray California!

May 15, 2008 03:07 pm at 3:07 pm |

barackobama4prez

Major step forth in civil rights legislation.

May 15, 2008 03:08 pm at 3:08 pm |

kim portland, oregon

good job, california! love is love, and this is another excellent sign that america will soon be back on track to becoming what the vast majority of us want--a smart, THINKING, progressive, and well-respected world leader!!!

May 15, 2008 03:11 pm at 3:11 pm |

we ARE bitter!!!!!

Seriously-don't we have much bigger problems in this country??? Let 'em get married. How on earth will that affect YOU? It won't.

May 15, 2008 03:11 pm at 3:11 pm |

Joe G

Congratulations!!!
This is a step forwards for human rights and tolerance. AWESOME!!!!

May 15, 2008 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |

pat ny

Now the country is bookended by states that got it right...one day the rest of the country will join the 21st Century.

I fully support the ruling. I am sure there will be the flood of posts with the usual religious nut job critics.

May 15, 2008 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |

Kirk in New York

Wow.

My partner and I adopted four kids from the foster care system. We have been a family for over 10 years. It was a bitter sweet day many years ago when we had to leave the country in order to get legally married in Canada.

It's good when the law catches up to reality.

May 15, 2008 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |

TJ in Texas (Dallas)

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!!

May 15, 2008 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |

MC- Atlanta,GA

Its About time! Regardless of your viewpoint – equality is equality, period.